Take a look at this little treat that arrived in Costco stores a bit earlier than normal this year. I've already had several readers write to me about it, and the reviews seem pretty positive. This has historically been a great buy at $19.99, far below most other wines from this premier region. Let's take a look at my ratings history for the Kirkland Chateauneufs going back to the 2008 vintage:
2012 91 points
2011 92 points
2010 91 points
2009 91 points
2008 90 points
This newly released 2013 is spectacular, perhaps the best of the bunch. I'd love to try the 2010 and 2011 again to compare (note to start cellaring these). This bottle is produced by Domaine de Nalys whose wines are typically priced much higher than this one, so it truly is bargain central.
Perfume, violets, some all-spice aromas on the nose; the wine is hefty, big body and good depth; beautiful layered red and black fruit, multi dimensional, begins with more red fruit flavor and then progresses into more dark fruit. Loads of blackberry. A little wood towards the end; dry sticky finish. This wine really permeates and lingers. What an awesome wine for $20.
If you're not into Chateauneufs, you might want to give this one a look. It's made in the Southern part of France's Rhone Valley and they can use 13 different grape varietals. There are six listed on the bottle here, and these are likely the dominant ones (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Vaccarese, Counoise, Mourvedre), with much smaller parts of many of the others.
I just saved this draft and returned after enjoying a glass over the course of an hour while I pondered the rating. This is a delicious wine. I'm stuck in the 92-93 range, and I think I'm going on the higher end of it. Buy these while you can. Going on the Top Picks list of course.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points
Costco item number: 777662
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
John W says
Yes, the 2012 was outstanding, the only problem was they were out of it by the time I could return!
Sam Cochran says
Just picked up one of these Chateauneufs based on your review, and you are absolutely right. Sublime, red fruit and spice on the nose, soft tannins, long and complex notes on the finish. Brings to mind the Beaucastle and Vieux Telegraph, what a bargain. Thanks for the recommendation. Now to go back and see how many bottles are left. Cheers.
admin says
Glad you enjoyed it. Quite the bargain for sure. Beaucastel and Vieux Telegraph are two of my favorites too. Thanks for the note
Sam Cochran says
Yes, just picked up four more. What a great bargain. I notice they have the newest Ti Point S.B. Hope you will review it soon.
admin says
Awesome. Nice job. Yes, I will review the Ti Point if I see it in my store. I'm headed out of town for a week but will swing through Costco when I get back to see what's around.
Pam M says
Today I bought the last 2 bottles at the Cumberland Mall Costco, and we're enjoying one now. Yum!
admin says
I'm only kind of happy to hear that. The Cumberland store is where I shop a lot and I was hoping to pick up some more. But the benefit of being in Atlanta is we have 4 stores within a 20 mile radius. Glad you enjoyed it.
Josh says
Doh! Other stores still have more - Cumberland is a tough area to sell wine compared to Brookhaven, Perimeter, and Alpharetta, which have higher household incomes and are now competing for wine like this.
John W says
This is not available anywhere, according to my Costco wine guy!??? What is going on here? Is it a regional exclusive?
admin says
I'm really not sure. We are independent of Costco so we don't have any special visibility into the distribution. I've received quite a few notes from people who have found it. So hopefully it will come your way soon. It was released earlier this year compared to prior vintages so maybe it's cycling through now.
Josh says
It's still real early compared to prior years. Call your Costco (even the main customer service desk) and have them check by item number (which has remained the same). Mine was kind enough to tell me # of bottles (cases?) by shipment. They got at least two (it's a store with high wine volume).
maxi says
This is really location specific, last year, 2012, I think bay area got it first, at least based on what I know about other places. I would give it a month, for my area especially with all that problems in Oakland port that we have.
Josh says
Couldn't agree more with this review! I bought a couple of bottles - and they tend to have pretty good stock this year (total of ~300 in my local Costco when they received both shipments). I really, really like this. It seems like every bottle (we've had four thus far) have been better - I think it just continues to outperform our expectations each time. Well rated and I can only hope they don't sell out before June...
Bartoli says
Good quaff here for sure. Not sure if it has the backbone to age, but who cares at this price. DC Flynt MW is the importer and I look for his name on other Costco wines as a sign of quality. Check out his Cuvee A'Daire Sancerre for an amazing Costco white.
admin says
Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for the Sancerre
Christophe says
Had one bottle last week. Went back today and purchased a case. Love this . A true winner.
Deep,complex, enjoy.
admin says
Happy to hear it.